Researchers at UMass Amherst found that reducing air exposure, fight times, water temperatures, and increasing angler education are crucial for a sustainable fishery. The team's study revealed that longer fights and higher water temps increase recovery time and stress on striped bass.
Researchers have identified a specific pollen signal from the cabbage family that governs species recognition, allowing plants to recognize which pollen grains are compatible and reject others. This breakthrough could pave the way for new crop species with improved traits.
A University of Massachusetts Amherst study found that gerrymandering in North Carolina resulted in reduced access to federally qualified health centers. ZIP codes with more gerrymandering had fewer health centers and were less likely to gain new ones, leading to longer travel distances for patients.
A new study by UMass Amherst and Brennan Center researchers found that mass shootings increase local voter turnout, particularly in Democratic areas, but have no effect on presidential vote choices. Turnout surged by up to 10 percentage points in neighborhoods near shootings.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed an app that uses Apple Watch data to monitor sleep stages and predict Alzheimer's disease risk. The app, BIDSleep, collects heart rate data and feeds it into an AI model that accurately identifies sleep stages 71% of the time.
The research aims to develop an intervention for incarcerated people to address the challenge of engaging with MOUD treatment after release. Massachusetts has received federal approval for a Section 1115 waiver to provide Medicaid benefits to incarcerated individuals, expanding access to healthcare and support services.
A Cochrane review suggests that switching to oral nicotine pouches from smoking reduces exposure to harmful substances, but the evidence is not yet clear on whether they can help people quit smoking. The review also notes that other nicotine products, like patches and gums, are beneficial for quitting smoking.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a new tool, iConRNA, that provides an unrivaled look inside cells and can help solve the mystery of how devastating diseases develop. The tool resolves the balance of physical driving forces of phase separation and predicts how this balance is tuned under different cellular situations.
A team of researchers led by Stephen McCormick has uncovered how fish know when to migrate, revealing that their pituitary gland is studded with photoreceptors that can perceive daylight changes. This discovery sheds light on the enduring migration mystery and will help in planning for climate change's impact on migrating fish populati...
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a nanoparticle-based vaccine that prevents melanoma, pancreatic and triple-negative breast cancer in mice. The vaccine achieved remarkable survival rates, with up to 88% of vaccinated mice remaining tumor-free.
A recent study found that after the Flint water crisis, US public water systems were less likely to report suspiciously rounded lead levels. The research employed new statistical tools to detect threshold manipulation and reported a significant decrease in such instances.
A study by UMass Amherst researchers found that nearly a quarter of MA drivers run through the red light at pedestrian hybrid beacons. Drivers also often stop too soon or fail to slow down during flashing yellow phases, causing confusion and potential safety issues.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have created an artificial neuron with electrical functions that mirror those of biological neurons. The low-powered protein nanowire, made from bacteria, enables efficient communication between living cells and could lead to the development of new bio-inspired computers.
Researchers from UMass Amherst identified a unique mineral on Mars, ferric hydroxysulfate, which provides clues about the Martian environment and history. The mineral was formed at high temperatures in an acidic environment and is believed to have been created via geothermal heat.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have found that applying nanoscale selenium to rice foliage increases nutritional content, enhances soil microbial diversity, and decreases greenhouse gas emissions by 41%.
Researchers developed an AI-driven algorithm that can predict nearly 70% of hot flashes before they're felt. The Embr Wave wearable device will incorporate this technology to mitigate symptoms and provide meaningful relief.
The project aims to strengthen community involvement in water management, improve child health and reduce under-age mortality in Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Morocco and Tunisia amid global climate change. The research team will gather socioeconomic data and information on water governance, health risks and infant mortality.
A recent UMass Amherst study led by Daniel Corkran uncovers the physical mechanisms governing sustainable water usage in salares, overturning commonly held assumptions. The research suggests that companies should pump water from briniest patches, not freshwater portions, to minimize impact on wetlands and shores.
Researchers at UMass Amherst found that certain T-cells have an inherent ability to remember past viral foes, which could lead to next-generation cancer vaccines. This 'immunological memory' is crucial for the body's immune response and can be harnessed for targeted therapies.
A team of physicists at UMass Amherst propose that we may soon observe an exploding primordial black hole, which could reveal the foundations of the universe and provide a definitive catalog of subatomic particles. This explosion would give us insight into the formation of black holes and the universe's primordial conditions shortly af...
According to UMass Amherst research, only 16% of US counties offer access to vaginal labor after C-section. Despite the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' guidelines supporting this option, access remains limited due to factors such as hospital availability and provider comfort.
A UMass Amherst kinesiologist has received a $2 million NIH grant to study how myosin molecules work together to drive different processes within cells. His research aims to develop drugs for heart failure, neurological conditions and genetic forms of deafness.
An international team of researchers has tracked changes in over 114,000 rivers in High-mountain Asia, finding nearly 10% of them saw an increase in flow from glacial ice melt. This shift poses a challenge for the region's energy future, particularly hydroelectricity generation, due to increased sediment and reduced reservoir capacity.
A survey of scientific literature on micro- and nanoplastics in human health identifies key challenges and proposes best practices for analysis, including digestion treatments and shape considerations. The study aims to improve our understanding of plastics' impact on human bodies.
A team of researchers led by undergraduate physics majors at UMass Amherst modeled how aerosol plumes spread when people are waiting and walking in a line. They found that warm air rises, causing the plumes to sink, but temperatures can affect their height. The study sharpens our understanding of airborne-communicable diseases travel.
Monthly gamblers in Massachusetts reported higher levels of sports betting, gambling intensity, and harms, with negative attitudes towards gambling increasing. Problem gambling rates jumped to 28% in the fall of 2024, driven by financial and family harms. Harm reduction strategies are urgently needed.
A recent study found that immigrants in the US face a 10.6% pay gap compared to native-born workers, primarily due to restricted access to high-paying jobs. The research highlights the need to address structural barriers limiting immigrant employment opportunities.
NASA microbiologist James Holden is searching for signs of microbial life in Earth's deep-sea volcanoes, which he believes could be similar to those on Jupiter's moon Europa. The hydrothermal vents, where these microbes thrive, provide a unique environment that may support alien life.
A new study by University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers found that low-income patients are less likely to contest denied health insurance claims and experience lower success rates when they do. The study recommends simplifying billing rules and creating user-friendly ways for patients to appeal denials.
Researchers at UMass Amherst created integrated arrays of gate-tunable silicon photodetectors that can capture dynamic visual information and classify static images with high accuracy. The technology has the potential to reduce latency in computer vision tasks, enabling applications like self-driving vehicles and bioimaging.
Daniel Hebert's life's work details how carbohydrate-related chaperones direct the protein folding process and guide proteins to their ultimate locations. The study highlights the crucial role of N-glycans in tagging misfolded proteins for destruction or correction.
A new study by UMass Amherst researchers found that Black and Latinx people experiencing planned repeat cesareans are more likely to suffer severe maternal morbidity. The study analyzed data from over 72,000 births between 2012-2021, revealing a significant disparity in complication rates among marginalized groups.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified a naturally occurring compound secreted by donkeys that effectively repels adult Ixodes scapularis ticks, the primary tick species responsible for spreading Lyme disease. The compound, (E)-2-octenal, shows promise as a natural alternative to DEET-based repellents.
Researchers from UMass Amherst have comprehensively linked birdsong pitch and volume, revealing a mix of variation across species. Songbirds tend to narrow their frequency range as they increase in volume, suggesting evolutionary freedom in song evolution.
A new study from UMass Amherst found significant variability between at-home water testing kit abilities to detect contaminants. Single-parameter tests generally had more accurate results than multi-parameter ones, but users should interpret the results with skepticism, especially if testing for high levels of metals.
Researchers studying hospital price transparency regulations to see if they're reducing healthcare costs for consumers. They're also exploring unintended consequences and potential negative effects on lower-income patients.
A UMass Amherst graduate student's groundbreaking discovery reveals that neutral polyzwitterions take sides in the presence of electrical stimuli, contradicting conventional wisdom. The study opens new avenues for biomedical research, including protein analysis and drug delivery.
Researchers at UMass Amherst's New England Center of Excellence in Vector-borne Diseases have identified a new strain of Rickettsia bacteria that causes spotted fever infections in humans. The discovery in Maine suggests rabbit ticks could be a zoonotic vector for serious infections, contradicting the usual dog tick vector.
Robert B. Hallock, a renowned physicist at UMass Amherst, has been awarded the Fritz London Memorial Prize for his pioneering work on superfluid and solid helium. He was recognized for his innovative achievements in liquid helium films and his groundbreaking discovery of giant isochoric compressibility.
The UMass Amherst team, led by Stéphane Willocq, made significant contributions to particle physics, including studies of rare processes and Higgs boson properties. Their work explores the deepest questions about our universe and prepares for the High-Luminosity LHC upgrade.
A new study from the University of Massachusetts Amherst found that co-undergrounding wires, particularly in outage-prone areas, can pay off with a cost savings of nearly 40% compared to replacing them separately. The study suggests that proactively undergrounding lines that are currently above ground can bring significant benefits.
A team of researchers led by UMass Amherst discovered that imperfect polymer fillers can enhance thermal conductivity, challenging conventional wisdom. Polymers with defective fillers performed 160% better than those with perfect fillers in conducting heat.
A team of researchers led by a graduate student discovered a novel property in certain liquids that contradicts long-held expectations from the laws of thermodynamics. Magnetized particles increase interfacial tension, bending the boundary between oil and water into a specific shape.
Cynthia Jacelon, a renowned nurse and researcher, has developed the Jacelon Attributed Dignity Scale (JADS), a widely used concept to measure dignity in older adults. Her work focuses on rehabilitation care and promoting function in vulnerable populations.
Researchers developed an ultra precise technique to count and analyze nanoplastics in water, soil, and plant tissues. The OM-SERS setup uses lasers, gold nanoparticles, and microfluidics to detect specific types of plastics and their concentrations.
Nurses in states with abortion bans face communication gaps and moral distress when providing care to pregnant patients. They resort to 'work-arounds' like reading the room for allies or using online resources to find legal reproductive health care, highlighting the need for better guidance and support.
A new study by UMass Amherst hydrologists finds that lithium mining models significantly overestimate the amount of freshwater available in the Lithium Triangle. The research suggests that local communities, regulators, and the industry must work together to reduce water usage within sustainable limits. The study's findings have immedi...
Researchers from UMass Amherst have identified plant characteristics that can help native species thrive in new environments while minimizing ecological harm. The study suggests focusing on traits like toxicity and water-dispersed seeds, rather than risk-averse approaches.
Researchers from UMass Amherst have discovered that epithelial cells communicate with slow electrical signals, 1,000 times slower than nerve impulses. This finding could enable new applications in wearable sensors, wound healing and more.
A UMass Amherst Ph.D. student has been awarded a €20,000 grant to investigate a new therapeutic target for Lyme disease by targeting the GuaB enzyme necessary for Borrelia burgdorferi replication in mammals.